Cheerleaders’ Car Wash Canceled Due to Environmental Concern

In San Jose, cheerleaders from Lincoln High School were forced to cancel their car wash when city officials said it was an environmental risk. According to Environmental Services, car washes can only be conducted when the water is assured it will not go into street or storm drains or gutter systems. So, the Lincoln cheerleaders called off their Oct. 20 car wash that was to help them pay for their trip to a national competition.

"Anything that is not storm water or rain water is considered a pollutant," said Jennie Loft, the Environmental Services Department's acting communications manager. "If it goes into a storm drain, that pollutant will harm wildlife and habitats in the creeks."

I, personally, had no idea that car washes needed to be monitored and approved for the environment. I think that’s great. Sure, it isn’t the best thing for the Lincoln cheerleaders to cancel their car wash, but now they can think of new ways to do a car wash that’s environmentally friendly. I’d like to see what they come up with.

What do you think? Are car wash regulations, even for charity, a good idea? Or are they unneeded?